An alumna of the class of 1974 writes, "She graduated from MIT with a doctorate in Physics. She returned to China and eventually became the President of Fudan University in Shanghai.

"She is known for her contributions to Science, Education and Sino-US relationship."

Another website visitor adds: "Like many academics with international ties, Xie and her husband became targets of the Cultural Revolution. Xie was locked inside Amoy University's Low Temperature Laboratory for nine months. Her husband was also under house arrest in his own Institute, and their ten year-old son had to take care of himself. After her release from house arrest, Xie was forced to clean the lavatory of the physics building and sweep the corridors. Xie was also made to work in the university's Semiconductor Factory, lapping and polishing silicon wafers. She was finally allowed to do some teaching in 1972.

Once the Cultural Revolution thawed, Xie went on to become one the most decorated scientists and educators in China, known for her contributions to solid-state physics.

She was also the first woman to serve as President of a Chinese University when she took the helm at Fudan University. She then founded the Center for American Studies at Fudan University, authored several prominent physics textbooks, and presided over a welcoming ceremony for U.S. President Ronald Reagan's visit to China in April of 1984."

Additional resources/background reading: http://www.springerlink.com/content/pw647181v044l248/